Is it bad to have looked at someone’s LinkedIn profile,
take no actions, and then come up on their recently viewed list?
This blog is about: Leaving Digital Foot Prints on
LinkedIn.
For starters, you can change your privacy settings on
LinkedIn so you remain completely anonymous when viewing another member’s
profile.
The question I get most
frequently though is: “Is it bad to have been seen viewing a prospect’s or friends LinkedIn?”
Is this creepy, or prying, or is it, as Amar Sheth would say
– part of social selling? Well, I have a
very clear answer to this. I think it’s great to be a known viewer, and yes, it
is part of social selling today.
Steve Richards from Vorsight hit the nail on the head
with what he shared with me. “If one of
your prospects asks you why you were on their LinkedIn profile, you simply say I wanted to
learn more about you and your business.” “This way I know how to better tailor
my services to help you.”
In conclusion, digital footprints are a good thing. Don't be worried about being a known
viewer. Furthermore, may I suggest that you leave more footprints
around as part of your daily routine.
Disclaimer: Now my rule of thumb here doesn't necessarily
apply to your personal life and checking someone you meet out on LinkedIn. Do you really want them to know you looked at
their LinkedIn profile after you just met them in the lobby bar? Probably not, discretion advised.